Preparation, isolation, storage, and spectroscopic characterization of water vapor enriched in the ortho-H2O nuclear spin isomer

Using magnetic focusing in a supersonic jet, a beam of normal H2O molecules seeded in a krypton carrier gas is shown to provide a source of water molecules that is highly enhanced in the ortho-H2O (o-H2O) nuclear spin isomer over the high-temperature equilibrium 3: 1 ortho: para ratio. Water from the magnetically focused beam is then isolated and stored within a Kr matrix at 13 K whereby the amplitude and lifetime of this strong nuclear spin polarization are quantified spectroscopically. Attempts to store the polarization in a colder Kr matrix reveal complex nuclear spin conversion processes. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevA.86.062710